Possessing essential credentials from the Fellow American Society of Interior Designers (FASID), as a registered interior designer (RID), and by meeting the strict National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) requirements, Shundra Harris is the celebrated chief executive officer and principal designer of Shundra Harris Interiors, based in Cypress, Texas, where “Elevating, Live, Work and Play Spaces” is the mantra of the company she founded in 2007. Today, she also is director-at-large of the American Society of Interior Designers.
During her nearly 20-year career, Ms. Harris has established herself as a sought-after expert in residential and commercial design. Her leadership at Shundra Harris Interiors involves guiding the strategic direction of the company to ensure stability and growth. For the American Society of Interior Designers, she upholds the mission of advancing the interior design profession. Ms. Harris has been active in other industry-related organizations, having held the leadership positions of president and vice president of media operations with the Texas Association for Interior Design. Her dedication to professional development is further demonstrated by her involvement with the WELL Institute and with the NCIDQ, where she contributes by writing exam questions and serving as a site reviewer for accreditation programs. Ms. Harris’s tireless work has been recognized with awards such as the ASIL Fellowship in 2023 and the National Education Medalist honor from ASID in 2019.
Ms. Harris’s professional path began in engineering working as a senior software integration and test engineer and project team leader at Nortel Networks. This invaluable experience provided an extra-strong foundation for her subsequent success in interior design. Her transition into interior design was sparked by her love for remodeling her own home, leading her to pursue formal education in the field. To this end, she earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in interior design from The Art Institutes and a Bachelor of Science in computer science and engineering from The University of Texas at Arlington.
Ms. Harris’s continuing commitment to education was well-implemented in her role as an adjunct professor at Prairie View A&M University from 2014 to 2020, during which she shared her knowledge and vast experience with aspiring designers. Additionally, as a speaker on interior design for independent school districts and a sponsor for high school students, she supports educational initiatives. Moreover, Ms. Harris recently completed a business training course with Goldman Sachs’s 10,000 Small Businesses Program to enhance her own business acumen. Involved with national design organizations like FASID, NCIDQ, and CDA, she is keenly aware of industry trends towards wellness-focused design. Looking to the future, Ms. Harris aims to incorporate these trends into her work to improve living conditions for individuals with specific needs or disabilities. Ultimately, she aspires to return to teaching at a university to continue imparting her prowess and passion for design with future generations.
Adjacent to her professional accomplishments, Ms. Harris is committed to civic engagement and community service, volunteering at her local church and having been involved in grant writing for the Rise School of Down Syndrome. She believes that her success is the result of her faith and hard work. Outside of business and community responsibilities, Ms. Harris prioritizes her family, who include her two children, and she enjoys reading and traveling.
